Wine, at first glance, can only be of plant origin because we know that it is made from grapes from the vine, a natural plant. If you think this, in many cases, you are wrong. In fact, most wines need an ingredient of animal origin during their production.

When is it not vegan ?

The presence of animal substances in wine:

It is during winemaking, when the wine is clarified at the end of its manufacturing process, that some winegrowers use animal substances. But what for exactly?

Wine clarification is a step that removes deposits, the finest particles suspended in the wine in order to make it clearer and brighter. This step is also called: gluing. This is a step which is not systematic but which, when it is carried out, is done with glue made from animal substances such as egg white, casein (a protein from cow’s milk) or even fish glue which is a glue from the skin or cartilage of fish.

Another use that is not necessarily vegan is when they will use animal glue to stick the labels on the wine bottle with casein or pork-based glue (slaughterhouse waste). The caps made of cork are not always vegan either, some may contain beeswax.

So you can see that after listing the non-vegetable uses during wine making, they are often present.

What is vegan wine?

A vegan wine is a wine that contains no animal traces and uses no animals for the production and harvest of its products. Several alternatives exist in order to make a classic wine a vegan wine. It is possible to replace the glue used by winegrowers based on animal substances, by a vegetable glue or not use glue at all. As an alternative, for example, there is a glue made from pea vegetable powder.

To recognize your vegan wine, you must therefore check its composition on the label. But you can also see the “V-Label” label which allows you to recognize 2 types of wine: vegan wine and vegetarian wine. The difference is that the vegetarian wine will prohibit the use of meat, i.e. pork fat, etc., but will allow the use of other products of animal origin such as honey, egg white etc. Vegan wine, on the contrary, will prohibit these two uses and will opt for more plant-based alternatives, which do not harm animal life.

How to find vegan wine?

Of course, you can ask your wine merchant. As a reminder: wine should be consumed with care and only on special occasions. So don’t buy the next bottle in the supermarket but go to a specialist.

But you can also use digital help tools to find what you need.

The Vegan Wine Directory gives you a large list of vegan alcoholic drinks. Several online stores now offer “vegan” categories like this one here. (for French customers)

Is vegan wine organic and produced under better conditions?

Vegan wine is not necessarily certified organic and vice versa. Particularly because the specifications of these two names are different and allow certain things that the other does not. So if you want a vegan and organic drink, please check both labels.

To conclude: We believe that we do not need animal substances in everything we eat and drink. We are exploiting our planet and our animals enough. Let’s stop this abuse. Especially when it comes to drinks such as wine, which are only consumed for special occasions, so be careful.

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As on 1^st of November it is World Vegan day, we would like to highlight this year’s innovative and different vegan products. World vegan day is a great occasion to show that veganism goes much further than your dishes. What the day is about and to learn more you can check back on our blog article about it. 

Here, we want to present to you brands we love as they are very different to what is usually on the market. 

Vegan cosmetics

You know we love cosmetics as we regularly present amazing brands and products. But now we discovered another brand bringing skin and hair care products which are really innovative. This brand is Louise emoi. The products are made in France of natural ingredients and all vegan. But that is not all: The brand innovates in their products. 

What do you think of if we tell you: Mango butter, avocado broccoli and sesame? Sounds like salad, a bowl or a vegan dish, right? Let me tell you that this is not what Louise emoi made out of it. They bring to you a hair mask which will strengthen your hair and make it shine again. A nourishing mix which is a truly relaxing moment. 

And after your hair care you will also need some vegan cosmetics for your skin. Their oil is perfect for this as it softens your skin while being without any essential oils. This is especially important for allergic or sensitive people. You can be sure that their products are great for everyone. 

Vegan and soft soaps

Further, you can find for your everyday routine great soaps from Louise emoi. They work with a natural and soft process to manufacture the soaps. All natural and great for skin and hands. You can discover the full range here and for sure will find more than one favourite. 

Vegan bee wrap

At least as vegan products are important, zero waste is. So if both could be combined, how amazing would this be? 

This is exactly  what Anotherway brings to you. The company from the south of France is specialised in zero waste products, cleaning tools but also bee wraps. Bee wraps are a great innovation as they replace all plastic films and aluminium foil. The only negative point is that bee wrap is not vegan and not adapted for vegan consumers. 

But this is where Anotherway innovates and brings a new innovative product: The VEGAN wrap. Like a bee wrap these are wraps to put your food inside or to close your bowls, but fully vegan. 

They can be used and re-used, easily cleaned, reduce waste and are made in France. We are clearly in love! 

Further, only on the homepage of Anotherway you will discover countless amazing zero waste products as Do-it-yourself kits, packaging for zero waste shopping or soap blocks for your dishes.

Discover their products HERE, but we warn you: You won’t leave without a purchase.  

No vegan leather but vegan innovations

At Bag Affair we work fully vegan. But not just vegan but also plastic free. We did tell you about this before as terms such as “vegan leather” are quite misleading and most times working with plastics instead. We work with natural materials only and are still vegan. 

Our innovation goes up to developing a new material which we call “CORKonLINEN” made of linen and cork, European, natural and compostable. This is how vegan innovation should look like for us. 

Make your vegan choice

Keep in mind that you, as a consumer, have a vote. Make your choices wisely. Discover these vegan products and try them. Every little step makes a difference so try new things and find out your favourite. 

How about a relaxing day thanks to the products from Louise emoi and some vegan food afterwards. And if there is food left, just wrap it in your Vegan wrap. Enjoy your vegan day! 

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Bag Affair and all our business bags for women are vegan and PETA approved. We only work with quality cork to make our bags and we are proud to do so.

But why? Why for us it is important not to use leather even if it is “so soft” and “high quality” as many say? Why no wool even though it is “so natural” and why no other single ingredient as for example the wax for our wood handles of the business bag Bossy, which we could use bee wax for instead of vegan oil?

Because we think that all factors of making a great product are important to look at: Working conditions of humans, impact on the environment as well as impact on animals.

There is a lot of discussion of leather in fashion accessories derived from meat production and will be there anyhow. But how about reducing or even stopping to eat meat? Sounds crazy to you- take a look at this:

Veganism reduces environmental impact

Veganism is the single biggest way to reduce our environmental impact following a study of Oxford University. Global farmland could be reduced by 75% if we were to stop eating meat and dairy products. Greenhouse gas emission could significantly drop but think as well what just happened at the Amazonas and the big fires. Veganism and less farmland mean as well less cutting trees to turn forest into fields. Another report published this October 2019 says “A global switch to diets that rely less on meat and more on fruit and vegetables could save eight million lives by 2050 and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by two thirds”. Dr Peter Alexander, at the University of Edinburgh: “My personal opinion is we should interpret these results not as the need to become vegan overnight, but rather to moderate our [meat] consumption.”

We could go on and on, but our goal is not to preach you- veganism is like fast fashion. Think about your consumption and from time to time lower it down a bit. Ask where your meat comes from, what the conditions behind have been and if 1kg is sold for an incredibly low price, doubt about the conditions behind. Buy less but better quality – fashion as food.

Vegan fashion and vegan bags

Vegan fashion is like vegan food: no animal input – means no material from animals at all, no wool, no leather and no fur.

Vegan bags are widely existing today, not just from cork but as well from many other alternatives from fake leather to apple leather. Keep in mind that leather derivate are made to look like leather without being it- for us a bit like the “soya steack” or “vegan nuggets” – something which should not be called steak or nuggets, or leather…. But that’s another story.

You have the choice today to say no to products where you do not know where the material comes from or how it is made – and especially leather has a very low rate of traceability. So ask “who made my bags” and “from what it is made” and find better alternatives to leather.

Enjoy world vegan day

Most important you should enjoy this 1^st of November. Today is as well “All Saints’s Day” in many countries of the world and you might have a day off. So use your day and inform yourself about veganism, or maybe try a vegan restaurant, cook vegan or decide some vegan shopping.

PETA for example delivers you a full list of brands which are vegan approved here.

Vegan France the French association for vegan life gives out as well a shopping list of brands here.  

You prefer to read rather than shopping? – Great as well. We already told you about the blog from Noa – Style with a smile, but here you find a further list of vegan fashion blogs listed by Eluxe Magazine.

Did you ever cook vegan food?

As for sure after a nice day, reading, shopping or just being out in the nature, you will be hungry and on world vegan day, why not to try to cook vegan? – It is easier than you thought.

Check out the Instagram called “contemporary vegan”: https://www.instagram.com/contemporary_vegans/?hl=fr – Surprised of the variety of dishes you can do without meat, dairy or any other product of animal origin?

Ok and now tell us- even if you are usually not living vegan, how was this day? Maybe it could become an option to have a vegan day per month or per week? We are not here to convert you but to share ideas of a more healthy, lighter and more environmental lifestyle- from food to fashion- and we hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

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